Word Origin & History

last "following all the others," from O.E. latost (adj.) and lætest (adv.), superl. of læt (adj.) and late (adv.). Cognate with O.Fris. lest, Du. laatst, O.H.G. laggost, Ger. letzt). Adj. Last-ditch "on the last line of defense" is from 1715, attributed to William of Orange. Last hurrah is from the title of Edwin O'Connor's 1956 novel. Last word "final, definitive statement" is from 1881. Related: Lasting; lastly.

Example Sentences for last

I have sought for thee throughout the world, and at last I believed thee dead.

I heard about it from Mrs. Balldridge when we came here last fall.

"I've just finished," said Percival, glancing down the last sheet.

Here we see but a few of the last links, and those imperfectly.

They were the last she heard sung by Paralus, the night Anaxagoras departed from Athens.

But at last there came a day against which no objections could be raised.

A moment later Percival remembered his last words, also his reference to Blythe.

He ain't been run over—he's gone broke-lost all our money; every last cent.